Another great week of training down. The house got passed in, but apparently there are a few interested parties in the wings, but nothing yet...
Anyhow, this week was my thrid repetition of the previous two weeks, with a mix of core work, tempo running, lots of hills and long distance and technique swims. The week ended with a bike ride to Akaroa and back, well almost. Bec, Ginni and I rode to Little River, accompanied by lots of freeloading lake flies- disgusting and worse than magpies. Then I headed on up Hill Top, down to Barrys Bay and up the sting in the tail hills to Akaroa. A quick coffee and refeul then back to Little River, where I was supposed to be meeting Bede. Well he got held up coming back from a work do on the coast (read lots of hungover people needing breakfast, so left late..) and so I had a quick pit stop and continued on. The hills were indeed testing, but great fun even with temperatures in the 20s and a strong headwind all the way home. Nevertheless I got a flat 2km out from Motukarara, then another....and another....having so proudly changed the tubes I later found the bastard piece of glass sneakily tucked in the outside of the tyre- couldn't for the life of me find it the first two times. But anyway, with no more tubes, I called Bede for an SOS from Tai Tapu- I was only 20km from home damn it! Still a great 150km ride, with big hills- about 6.5hrs riding and having eaten lots I felt I had done enough....
I watched a great film on Saturday night- On a Clear Day about a guy who gets made redundant having worked all his life in the docks building ships, and sets out to swim the English Channel. There a more touching plot about his relationship with his wife and son, but an amazing accomplishment, and based on a true story. Made me feel that whenever I am swimming and finding it tough, 3.8km, is NOT the Channel, just suck it up! You are not that bad a swimmer after all!
Another 3hr flat ride and a 30 min run yesterday (having gone and bought some new tubes!) , a yummy chicken roast and then I farewelled Bede up to Auckland to start his new job on Monday.
Over 20hrs of training this week, I know a bit on the heavy side already, but a ride to Akaroa and back was on my wish list for a long time! I biked the Le Race route last Feb, and got a bus home, this time there was no way I was going to do that! But I have discovered I CAN do longer rides, and I can almost...fix a flat....I did two for practice on Sunday morning a lot faster than usual, with no help. Yey!
Recovery week this week, and in Auckland for the weekend, so will just run and swim. Finish work on Friday, I will be sooooo happy!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
This week (Mon-Thurs) has been very similar to last week. I tend to do three weeks of the same training, building the long rides each week, then back off for a week as recovery. This way my body can take on board the training from the last three weeks and absorb it all, before building into the next phase.
This week I have concentrating a lot on technique in all three disciplines, and I have had to switch things round a little as we had a big weekend ahead of us! So, on Thursday I did my Friday technique swim, and then on the weekend we (Nadia, Tanya and I) headed up to Hanmer. This would be quite a testing weekend for me, having had time off for my sinus infection and migraines, which still bothers me from time to time.
Approx 140km of undulating hills and a gradual climb from Christchurch. We started off at about 8am in foggy dull conditions, had a pit stop at Amberley and once we go to Waipara it was blue skies and sun, beautiful! We stopped for lunch at Culverden for about 45 mins and reached Hanmer at 2pm. It was a great ride, good to get some good miles in and nice to ride with others for a change, great to have company on those long flats, especially safer in numbers when the magpies decide to swoop! Longer rides (this one was about 5 hours) also give you the chance to try out nutrition- I had two bobby bananas and one OSM bar cut up into pieces, 2 bottles of water, 1 can diluted fresh up apple and 1 bottle Enervit (1 scoop).
Rebecca, Kalina and Paula joined us in the evening in Hanmer and we had a nice relaxing supper and good triathlon and girlie chat!
We were up at a good hour the next morning had breakfast and headed out towards Lewis Pass, into a persistent headwind, but a mild and sunny day.
Heading towards the pass are some testing climbs, but definitely do-able- we all worked really well in two small bunches for 30km and headed back after that. We flew with the tailwind, it was great! Back in 50 mins! It was good to see the girls all improving at their biking in the pursuit of their goals for the next season. It was great to find out that my climbing is improving and I felt comfortable on the hills, keeping a moderate/low hard heart rate and keeping sat down. Back into Hanmer I went on a hour's run in the forest after downing a leppin, was really hot so the shady forest was a blessing.
After lunch we headed to the hot pools and had a relaxing time combined with whizzing down the waterslides.
Sunday we headed back to Christchurch. The ride to Waipara was testing in parts, we rode well to Culverden then we felt the southerly coming in up some long but gentle climbs. We met the girls for a coffee at the Brew Moon in Amberley which offered some awaited respite! The weather set in after that and a blustery, drizzly southerly accompanied us back home. We were a wee bit slower on the way back with the conditions, but as we reminded ourselves, we are not icing sugar, we will not melt!
Poor Nadia had a crash about 1km from home on a slippy painted median strip, I hope she gets some well deserved r n' r tonight and feels better in the morning. It's really the shock of falling in the wet which sucks.
I felt really hungry on this ride, as I had salad the night before and didn't eat my usual oaty breakfast, just crumpets. So on the menu was 1 OSM bar, 2 small bobby bananas, 1 powerbar and 1/2 gel, with a trim FW, Enervit and Water to drink. I was wet and cold when I got home, but not too tired. A hot shower, good stretch and food sorted that out, and a relaxing afternoon. I decided that my regular Sunday pump class would be pushing it!
It was a fantastic weekend, where I felt I could really relax amongst girls with the same interests and love for training. It was my biggest biking weekend ever, so that's an accomplishment in itself. I loved it and think I have made a breakthrough in my bike base endurance to carry me to the next build of my bike focus to the K2, and hills, hills, hills ;o)
This week I repeat the last two weeks again, and plan to bike over to Akaroa and back as far as I can on Sunday, hopefully with some company if I can convince the girls I'm not nuts.
Our house goes to auction on Thursday so fingers crossed it goes and we can concentrate on the move up north. QEII running session tonight, which I will focus on core work mostly as my legs may feel a bit shot. Monday night sessions are always a test after the weekend, but I love the group training feel, so I will head over after work.
I'm up to reading about Pain in my mental training guide, and apparently if you feel pain, smile ;o) It releases endorphins to your body which help ease it away....so there's my thought for the week, keep smiling ;o)
This week I have concentrating a lot on technique in all three disciplines, and I have had to switch things round a little as we had a big weekend ahead of us! So, on Thursday I did my Friday technique swim, and then on the weekend we (Nadia, Tanya and I) headed up to Hanmer. This would be quite a testing weekend for me, having had time off for my sinus infection and migraines, which still bothers me from time to time.
Approx 140km of undulating hills and a gradual climb from Christchurch. We started off at about 8am in foggy dull conditions, had a pit stop at Amberley and once we go to Waipara it was blue skies and sun, beautiful! We stopped for lunch at Culverden for about 45 mins and reached Hanmer at 2pm. It was a great ride, good to get some good miles in and nice to ride with others for a change, great to have company on those long flats, especially safer in numbers when the magpies decide to swoop! Longer rides (this one was about 5 hours) also give you the chance to try out nutrition- I had two bobby bananas and one OSM bar cut up into pieces, 2 bottles of water, 1 can diluted fresh up apple and 1 bottle Enervit (1 scoop).
Rebecca, Kalina and Paula joined us in the evening in Hanmer and we had a nice relaxing supper and good triathlon and girlie chat!
We were up at a good hour the next morning had breakfast and headed out towards Lewis Pass, into a persistent headwind, but a mild and sunny day.
Heading towards the pass are some testing climbs, but definitely do-able- we all worked really well in two small bunches for 30km and headed back after that. We flew with the tailwind, it was great! Back in 50 mins! It was good to see the girls all improving at their biking in the pursuit of their goals for the next season. It was great to find out that my climbing is improving and I felt comfortable on the hills, keeping a moderate/low hard heart rate and keeping sat down. Back into Hanmer I went on a hour's run in the forest after downing a leppin, was really hot so the shady forest was a blessing.
After lunch we headed to the hot pools and had a relaxing time combined with whizzing down the waterslides.
Sunday we headed back to Christchurch. The ride to Waipara was testing in parts, we rode well to Culverden then we felt the southerly coming in up some long but gentle climbs. We met the girls for a coffee at the Brew Moon in Amberley which offered some awaited respite! The weather set in after that and a blustery, drizzly southerly accompanied us back home. We were a wee bit slower on the way back with the conditions, but as we reminded ourselves, we are not icing sugar, we will not melt!
Poor Nadia had a crash about 1km from home on a slippy painted median strip, I hope she gets some well deserved r n' r tonight and feels better in the morning. It's really the shock of falling in the wet which sucks.
I felt really hungry on this ride, as I had salad the night before and didn't eat my usual oaty breakfast, just crumpets. So on the menu was 1 OSM bar, 2 small bobby bananas, 1 powerbar and 1/2 gel, with a trim FW, Enervit and Water to drink. I was wet and cold when I got home, but not too tired. A hot shower, good stretch and food sorted that out, and a relaxing afternoon. I decided that my regular Sunday pump class would be pushing it!
It was a fantastic weekend, where I felt I could really relax amongst girls with the same interests and love for training. It was my biggest biking weekend ever, so that's an accomplishment in itself. I loved it and think I have made a breakthrough in my bike base endurance to carry me to the next build of my bike focus to the K2, and hills, hills, hills ;o)
This week I repeat the last two weeks again, and plan to bike over to Akaroa and back as far as I can on Sunday, hopefully with some company if I can convince the girls I'm not nuts.
Our house goes to auction on Thursday so fingers crossed it goes and we can concentrate on the move up north. QEII running session tonight, which I will focus on core work mostly as my legs may feel a bit shot. Monday night sessions are always a test after the weekend, but I love the group training feel, so I will head over after work.
I'm up to reading about Pain in my mental training guide, and apparently if you feel pain, smile ;o) It releases endorphins to your body which help ease it away....so there's my thought for the week, keep smiling ;o)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
First week of official IM training down...lots more to go!
This week has been the start of my official "journey" to IM. Ok, now that will be the first and last time I use that overused word...(just watch pop idol and count how many times you hear it!)....I'm starting with a real bike focus leading up to K2- I entered this week!- so working on overall bike endurance and muscular endurance with the hills- lots of them!
On Monday I had a great running session at QEII which is run by the New Zealand Multisports and Triathlon Centre- John Newsom my coach and Glen. After lots of core work- about half an hour, consisting of sets of running split up with triman holds, press ups, side planks, dead ant cycling, crab crawling up grassy banks, squats etc- we did a series of intervals- 10 x 400m using our 10km race pace time and adding less seconds to our 400m pace time each couple until race pace/just under on last lap. Well I went conservatively at 45mins and ran all laps too fast! I think my 10km pace, despite my rest time is still 43-44 mins, even though my heart rate was rocketing over 175...then we did a series of stadium step intervals- singles, doubles, accelerations, bunny hops then another 4 x 400m as before, then some warm down laps and a long stretch...I love this session, despite it being tough sometimes, as it's the one session of the week which I do with a group, and most of them are multisporters- a different breed I swear, and such a good laugh, and we can all share our stories from our weekend training! I'll really miss these sessions when I move.
Tuesday - swim solo with long sets/technique and Short Bays-just snuck it in as it turned dark about 30mins from home. For those not from Christchurch, this is a ride which takes in Hackthorne Road- a hill up to Sign of the Kiwi, down to Governor's Bay along the coast (undulating) to Lyttelton and up to Evans Pass (second largish hill) and back to Sumner, back to my house is just under 2hrs- about 50km. It's a decent ride, and what you cut your teeth on as a cyclist in Christchurch, and I've done it more times than I can count, but I still love it, the beautifyl scenery and, doing it "on the way home from work" with not another cyclist in sight.....bliss
Wednesday AM off- read chores, anyone could come round the house (it's on the market) so have to prep the show home each morning....PM Wind trainer session and 1hr run off bike. This session mid week is really to focus on a bit more up tempo, plus technique work. I use Gordo Byrn's sets- today it was 2 min alternating 90rpm, 6rpm and some single leg work to get those glutes working. Run felt good off bike, but couldn't keep heart rate in steady zone- more like moderate, could have been the track "Running" by Evermore I had on repeat on my new ipod ;o) It's such a motivational song to run to, you end up going a bit nuts.....
Thursday swim solo then Bike hill reps- up Hackthorne to Sign of Takehe x 3 then I continued up to Sign of Kiwi and whizzed back down home- about 1.5hrs. Home- 20 mins core work and 20 mins stretch.
Fri- technique swim and pump class.
Sat- Coopers Knob ride 2.5 hrs in the clouds and Guns n Roses on iPod- nice...30 min run off bike. Hills are great in clouds- you can't see the top!
Sun- 4.5hr ride to Hill Top and back overlooking Akaroa- flat out to Cooptown then one rather large hill- sat on all the way, concentrating on building muscular endurance, and keeping feet horizontal and pulling up from glutes. Just done another pump class too.
This weekend I had lots of headwinds and I loved it! Instead of letting them beat me I charged through them. Hilltop felt really easy. I felt comfortable on my aerobars for once. And I managed to include Bede in my Sunday ride with lunch at Blue Duck, (yummy veggie frittata and the obligatory coffee) then I continued on home.
Weather has been stunning, so sunny (great for selling the house, fingers crossed) and our beautiful fucshia magnolia has come out right on cue for the open homes.
I've been reading a mental training guide to tri this week (thanks to Kathy!) and Going Long...What I've learnt is I need to focus on my limiters (note we do not call them weaknesses!) - for me number one is bike endurance, My run is good, but will only be as good as how efficiently I can get my legs through the bike. Number two is the swim, but I'm not letting this worry me- I know I can make greater gains in the bike. Having to cut down my runs sucks- but this is precisely what you shouldn't do, i.e. train the most on the discipline you enjoy the most. Focus on the limiters and the positives will take care of themselves. Hence me entering the K2....
I've also learnt to set myself realistic goals....and not confusing ambition with ability! Although I do have a "secret" goal for IM, which only I know...And patience...I do not need (or want) to do IM tomorrow and I need to have a focus for each training session- be in the moment, and not focus my attention on the end result....I don't want to burn out by Jan...but I am itching to do those 6hr rides every weekend!
And lastly balance...that's actually my worst limiter (and I do not mean standing on one leg with my eyes closed with a book on my head)...Being so single minded and determined to get to my goals, I need to keep my eyes and ears open to everything else going on in my life (which right now is quite a lot!) Oh. and getting the bed earlier....I do try honest!
I also got an article published in Femme magazine on Lorient this week and I heard back from BlueSeventy confirming my prodeal sponsorship, yey!! Things are looking up ;o)...at last!
So, no job in Auckland yet, no where to live, but Bede and I are making plans and it looks like a wee road trip to Wellington then to Auckland will be on the cards once I finish at work, cool...
Tonight there's some IM coverage on Sky, so that's booked. Morning off tomorrow. I hated Monday morning training for France, so I'm not for IM, that's all! But it does mean no rest day on Friday as I have a swim, but I think it works better. I am a moose on a Friday, I hate Fridays, I'm so tired, but I am worse if I don't train....but I love the weekend. So beware if I don't get enough sleep Friday nights..
Looking forward to next week. There's a bit of chop and change as I'm heading to Hanmer with some girls for the weekend, biking there and back (about 260km in all).
Right signing off, venison for dinner, and some of my lovely (low fat and exceedingly healthy, honest- you'll believe it if you saw the recipe) Carrot Cake, my favourite....
Train safe, live in the moment and aim higher x
On Monday I had a great running session at QEII which is run by the New Zealand Multisports and Triathlon Centre- John Newsom my coach and Glen. After lots of core work- about half an hour, consisting of sets of running split up with triman holds, press ups, side planks, dead ant cycling, crab crawling up grassy banks, squats etc- we did a series of intervals- 10 x 400m using our 10km race pace time and adding less seconds to our 400m pace time each couple until race pace/just under on last lap. Well I went conservatively at 45mins and ran all laps too fast! I think my 10km pace, despite my rest time is still 43-44 mins, even though my heart rate was rocketing over 175...then we did a series of stadium step intervals- singles, doubles, accelerations, bunny hops then another 4 x 400m as before, then some warm down laps and a long stretch...I love this session, despite it being tough sometimes, as it's the one session of the week which I do with a group, and most of them are multisporters- a different breed I swear, and such a good laugh, and we can all share our stories from our weekend training! I'll really miss these sessions when I move.
Tuesday - swim solo with long sets/technique and Short Bays-just snuck it in as it turned dark about 30mins from home. For those not from Christchurch, this is a ride which takes in Hackthorne Road- a hill up to Sign of the Kiwi, down to Governor's Bay along the coast (undulating) to Lyttelton and up to Evans Pass (second largish hill) and back to Sumner, back to my house is just under 2hrs- about 50km. It's a decent ride, and what you cut your teeth on as a cyclist in Christchurch, and I've done it more times than I can count, but I still love it, the beautifyl scenery and, doing it "on the way home from work" with not another cyclist in sight.....bliss
Wednesday AM off- read chores, anyone could come round the house (it's on the market) so have to prep the show home each morning....PM Wind trainer session and 1hr run off bike. This session mid week is really to focus on a bit more up tempo, plus technique work. I use Gordo Byrn's sets- today it was 2 min alternating 90rpm, 6rpm and some single leg work to get those glutes working. Run felt good off bike, but couldn't keep heart rate in steady zone- more like moderate, could have been the track "Running" by Evermore I had on repeat on my new ipod ;o) It's such a motivational song to run to, you end up going a bit nuts.....
Thursday swim solo then Bike hill reps- up Hackthorne to Sign of Takehe x 3 then I continued up to Sign of Kiwi and whizzed back down home- about 1.5hrs. Home- 20 mins core work and 20 mins stretch.
Fri- technique swim and pump class.
Sat- Coopers Knob ride 2.5 hrs in the clouds and Guns n Roses on iPod- nice...30 min run off bike. Hills are great in clouds- you can't see the top!
Sun- 4.5hr ride to Hill Top and back overlooking Akaroa- flat out to Cooptown then one rather large hill- sat on all the way, concentrating on building muscular endurance, and keeping feet horizontal and pulling up from glutes. Just done another pump class too.
This weekend I had lots of headwinds and I loved it! Instead of letting them beat me I charged through them. Hilltop felt really easy. I felt comfortable on my aerobars for once. And I managed to include Bede in my Sunday ride with lunch at Blue Duck, (yummy veggie frittata and the obligatory coffee) then I continued on home.
Weather has been stunning, so sunny (great for selling the house, fingers crossed) and our beautiful fucshia magnolia has come out right on cue for the open homes.
I've been reading a mental training guide to tri this week (thanks to Kathy!) and Going Long...What I've learnt is I need to focus on my limiters (note we do not call them weaknesses!) - for me number one is bike endurance, My run is good, but will only be as good as how efficiently I can get my legs through the bike. Number two is the swim, but I'm not letting this worry me- I know I can make greater gains in the bike. Having to cut down my runs sucks- but this is precisely what you shouldn't do, i.e. train the most on the discipline you enjoy the most. Focus on the limiters and the positives will take care of themselves. Hence me entering the K2....
I've also learnt to set myself realistic goals....and not confusing ambition with ability! Although I do have a "secret" goal for IM, which only I know...And patience...I do not need (or want) to do IM tomorrow and I need to have a focus for each training session- be in the moment, and not focus my attention on the end result....I don't want to burn out by Jan...but I am itching to do those 6hr rides every weekend!
And lastly balance...that's actually my worst limiter (and I do not mean standing on one leg with my eyes closed with a book on my head)...Being so single minded and determined to get to my goals, I need to keep my eyes and ears open to everything else going on in my life (which right now is quite a lot!) Oh. and getting the bed earlier....I do try honest!
I also got an article published in Femme magazine on Lorient this week and I heard back from BlueSeventy confirming my prodeal sponsorship, yey!! Things are looking up ;o)...at last!
So, no job in Auckland yet, no where to live, but Bede and I are making plans and it looks like a wee road trip to Wellington then to Auckland will be on the cards once I finish at work, cool...
Tonight there's some IM coverage on Sky, so that's booked. Morning off tomorrow. I hated Monday morning training for France, so I'm not for IM, that's all! But it does mean no rest day on Friday as I have a swim, but I think it works better. I am a moose on a Friday, I hate Fridays, I'm so tired, but I am worse if I don't train....but I love the weekend. So beware if I don't get enough sleep Friday nights..
Looking forward to next week. There's a bit of chop and change as I'm heading to Hanmer with some girls for the weekend, biking there and back (about 260km in all).
Right signing off, venison for dinner, and some of my lovely (low fat and exceedingly healthy, honest- you'll believe it if you saw the recipe) Carrot Cake, my favourite....
Train safe, live in the moment and aim higher x
Monday, September 10, 2007
Spring has Sprung!!!
After having what I could only call a bleurgh August, I have begun September with a spring in my step, a determination to update my blog each week, and to get to bed by 10pm each night! Ok, so the last one will be a struggle with the forthcoming Rugby World Cup! I don't know how people get to bed much before then. By the time I've finished my training, had dinner, done the chores it's at least 9pm. And I do need some TV time each day.
This week I've been for a couple of 3-4hr rides which have been really good fun, a wind trainer session, some gym work- circuits and weights, three swims, lots of technique drills and a few runs. I had a great ride on the grading ride yesterday (it's a race which is used as preparation for the Five Passes- but I would never "race it"! and then I ran 6km to the gym, did a pump class and ran home, it felt really good, running at dusk with a beautiful sunset disappearing over the hills with a tail wind home.
My IM build up programme starts (officially) today, with a coached running session- core work and interval training at QEII stadium in Christchurch. Then Tues swim and Short Bays (about a 2hr ride-hills), Wed 1hr wind trainer session and 1hr run off bike, Thurs swim and 1.5hr hill reps, Fri technique/drills swim, Sat- tri club training (Bike/Run) then Sun medium bike (3-3 1/2 hrs) and short run off bike. Plus we have a tri club quiz night on Friday….and that is the extent of my social life this week ;o)
This is the start of my big bike base phase which includes the K2- I think I must be going crazy. I have never felt really really stuffed at the end of a race, and if this doesn't do it, well IM certainly will. I need to improve my bike so this provides a fantastic opportunity (and also to use my flash new race wheels!) I have never done a bike race before, and I need to do something that I am just doing for fun, taking away all that competitive go hard, go nuts from my race plan and just go steady - let's face it, it is 7 hours (plus?!, minus?!!) of biking hills! Most of my rides are hilly to build well needed strength, the hills are my friends….But I've yet to officially enter, I entered Taupo half IM this week, so will wait a while before another splurge.
This weekend I flew up to Auckland for the afternoon to meet Steve and Simone (the company owners) and the other sponsored Alpe d'Huez IMers in training, Graeme, Kathy, Kieran and Raewyn. It was great to meet them all and talk IM, tri and our aspirations and fears for the next six months.
Kathy, one of the other Alpe gear athletes has lent me a triathlete's guide to mental training - I read the Ironman chapter on the flight home. The advice and stories were right on the nail- now to read the rest of the book and put the suggestions and mental training into practice! The main thing I have learnt is to throw away all time conceptions I may have. I'm even thinking I may cover my bike computer, so it doesn't plague me and just enjoy the ride and the laps. I'm in it to finish it, it's my first Ironman, softly, softly catchy monkey!
This week will also see me hunting for a job in Auckland. I'm looking for a complete change and I've applied for all sorts of jobs, but anything with a sports bent is catching my eye. No bites as yet, but I'm not panicking yet. We need to sell the house and get settled first. Nevertheless if anyone out there has any suggestions or connections in this area, please let me know. I may be a qualified lawyer, but I have many talents, and skills in other areas which are transferable. Most importantly I need to be active!
This week I've been for a couple of 3-4hr rides which have been really good fun, a wind trainer session, some gym work- circuits and weights, three swims, lots of technique drills and a few runs. I had a great ride on the grading ride yesterday (it's a race which is used as preparation for the Five Passes- but I would never "race it"! and then I ran 6km to the gym, did a pump class and ran home, it felt really good, running at dusk with a beautiful sunset disappearing over the hills with a tail wind home.
My IM build up programme starts (officially) today, with a coached running session- core work and interval training at QEII stadium in Christchurch. Then Tues swim and Short Bays (about a 2hr ride-hills), Wed 1hr wind trainer session and 1hr run off bike, Thurs swim and 1.5hr hill reps, Fri technique/drills swim, Sat- tri club training (Bike/Run) then Sun medium bike (3-3 1/2 hrs) and short run off bike. Plus we have a tri club quiz night on Friday….and that is the extent of my social life this week ;o)
This is the start of my big bike base phase which includes the K2- I think I must be going crazy. I have never felt really really stuffed at the end of a race, and if this doesn't do it, well IM certainly will. I need to improve my bike so this provides a fantastic opportunity (and also to use my flash new race wheels!) I have never done a bike race before, and I need to do something that I am just doing for fun, taking away all that competitive go hard, go nuts from my race plan and just go steady - let's face it, it is 7 hours (plus?!, minus?!!) of biking hills! Most of my rides are hilly to build well needed strength, the hills are my friends….But I've yet to officially enter, I entered Taupo half IM this week, so will wait a while before another splurge.
This weekend I flew up to Auckland for the afternoon to meet Steve and Simone (the company owners) and the other sponsored Alpe d'Huez IMers in training, Graeme, Kathy, Kieran and Raewyn. It was great to meet them all and talk IM, tri and our aspirations and fears for the next six months.
Kathy, one of the other Alpe gear athletes has lent me a triathlete's guide to mental training - I read the Ironman chapter on the flight home. The advice and stories were right on the nail- now to read the rest of the book and put the suggestions and mental training into practice! The main thing I have learnt is to throw away all time conceptions I may have. I'm even thinking I may cover my bike computer, so it doesn't plague me and just enjoy the ride and the laps. I'm in it to finish it, it's my first Ironman, softly, softly catchy monkey!
This week will also see me hunting for a job in Auckland. I'm looking for a complete change and I've applied for all sorts of jobs, but anything with a sports bent is catching my eye. No bites as yet, but I'm not panicking yet. We need to sell the house and get settled first. Nevertheless if anyone out there has any suggestions or connections in this area, please let me know. I may be a qualified lawyer, but I have many talents, and skills in other areas which are transferable. Most importantly I need to be active!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Winter Blues
Winter Blues...
I arrived back in France at the end of July, having had an amazing experience at Worlds in France. On the spur of the moment I told Blue Seventy wetsuits about my success and I secured a Pro deal sponsorship discount for the upcoming season, so hopefully I can get my hands on the Helix! I tried this wetsuit out in France as Gina Ferguson had a spare one (mine was lost with my bike…) and I loved it.
August was set down for some R n R and getting away from triathlon. I started training again- just one session a day, sometimes two of whatever took my fancy, some gym sessions and whatever the weather had in store. I got back out biking as my main focus for the next base period will be to up my bike mileage somewhat, and I scheduled in a few long runs in the hills.
But, I started to feel lacking in motivation, coming off the high from my trip abroad. Training with no short term goals and no programme sorting out what you have to do each day was difficult to getting used to. And to top it all I got sick.
One weekend I went for a 2hr15 min run and the next day a 5.5hr ride. On the ride I felt really lousy. I didn't take enough water or food and I got really cold. I was on my own on the Gorges ride in Canterbury and I hit the wall big style. I even cried, I was really distraught. To add insult to injury I got attacked by a magpie in the Waimak Gorge. But on no account was I calling Bede, my husband, for an S.O.S pick up. Besides, he was at home building a fence. It wasn't until when I got back to the outskirts of Christchurch I got my hands on some coke and a liquorice log to perk me up for the rest of the hour's ride home. Afterwards I had a bath to get warm, but I didn't eat enough in my recovery time to compensate for my dehydration and lack of food.
I learned the hard way and ended up with a temperature, on antibiotics and off work for a week and a half. Following doctor's orders I was off training as well. A lesson learned in listening to your body. I tried to push through the on set of my sinus infection and it just got worse. It has been the most frustrating time, but some days I had such a bad migraine I was in so much pain and couldn't get out of bed. I'm rarely sick and have difficulty with my rest days as it is, so you can imagine I was crawling up the walls at times, and getting obsessed about all the weight I was putting on not training.
So come 3 September I'll be back into it. My body (and mind) needed the break, the sleep ins, the weekends with more time with Bede and my family. I'll be starting more structured training, more bike miles for sure and keeping the running and swimming ticking over. I'm going to see a nutritionist as I need a proper plan for IM, which will give me bags of energy. I eat a very healthy diet, but I’m sure it could be tweaked to provide me with more energy and get me off the coffee addiction! I love coffee, but I need to stick to two decent ones a day, not the four it’s been creeping up to lately. I rely on it for a pick up, but I need to tackle the tiredness first through a better balanced diet, and not rely so much on caffeine.
I need some short term goals, so the Auckland half marathon will be my next event, then Taupo Half IM. Indeed, we are in the process of selling our house and moving to Auckland as Bede has got a promotion and relocation up there. Which means I need to find a new job, and a new place to live. This, added to the stress of being sick has meant any training I have been doing hasn't been that effective and I've really been at an all time low in terms of training, motivation, happiness and enthusiasm for triathlon. We shall have a very busy few months ahead of us. I'm half contemplating working part time so I can really devote as much time as I'd love to my Ironman dream. I would love to pursue a career in triathlon. I’ve had enough of being stuck behind a desk in a windowless office 5 days a week.
One thing my coach said to me once was the happier you are, the happier, and consequently the better you train, and more importantly, race. I want to give IM my all and be happy doing it. The last two weeks have been acknowledging I've been sick, perhaps even on the verge of burnout and sorting my head out, to train happier. I have really felt the Winter Blues this month then, but Spring has sprung, the lambs are out, and when you see the blossoms appearing and leaves on the trees you've got to smile - it was even 19 degrees in Christchurch today!
My Alpe d’Huez kit arrived in the last week of August. I tried out the leg warmers, boot covers, cycle shorts and top on a 3.5hr ride. The leg warmers, although a bit long (I have very short legs!) are toasty warm and the shorts are very comfortable
I'm also contemplating purchasing a time trial bike. I've been looking at the Giant Trinity Elite- good bang for your buck, the trusty Cervelo and the Scott Contessa Plasma. It all depends on getting a good price for the house ;o) Then I can spend some money on a run around car and more money on a bike!
The move to Auckland is exciting, all those new places to train, new running trails, new bike shops ;o) I'll also be able to catch up with the other Alpe D’Huez sponsored athletes and the other Kiwi Age-Groupers I met in France.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into training, and getting my miles up. The thought of Ironman at the moment seems daunting, but then I look at what I have achieved in the last year and how far I’ve come I know I can do it. I love a challenge, having goals and doing my best. The next few months will be a test of time management, prioritizing and not getting obsessed with training, and letting it take over my life. Looking after myself and family is just, if not more important.
I’m having to remind myself that completing Ironman is my goal, despite being as competitive as I am, my goal is not to win, not even to place, just enjoy it and see how it goes. I put a lot of pressure on myself to always finish top ten, and beat certain girls. I must learn more self control, softly, softly, catchy monkey in Ironman and not to go off guns blazing in all my workouts and stuff myself.
My mantra for the next 6 months will be harder , better, faster, stronger…….
I arrived back in France at the end of July, having had an amazing experience at Worlds in France. On the spur of the moment I told Blue Seventy wetsuits about my success and I secured a Pro deal sponsorship discount for the upcoming season, so hopefully I can get my hands on the Helix! I tried this wetsuit out in France as Gina Ferguson had a spare one (mine was lost with my bike…) and I loved it.
August was set down for some R n R and getting away from triathlon. I started training again- just one session a day, sometimes two of whatever took my fancy, some gym sessions and whatever the weather had in store. I got back out biking as my main focus for the next base period will be to up my bike mileage somewhat, and I scheduled in a few long runs in the hills.
But, I started to feel lacking in motivation, coming off the high from my trip abroad. Training with no short term goals and no programme sorting out what you have to do each day was difficult to getting used to. And to top it all I got sick.
One weekend I went for a 2hr15 min run and the next day a 5.5hr ride. On the ride I felt really lousy. I didn't take enough water or food and I got really cold. I was on my own on the Gorges ride in Canterbury and I hit the wall big style. I even cried, I was really distraught. To add insult to injury I got attacked by a magpie in the Waimak Gorge. But on no account was I calling Bede, my husband, for an S.O.S pick up. Besides, he was at home building a fence. It wasn't until when I got back to the outskirts of Christchurch I got my hands on some coke and a liquorice log to perk me up for the rest of the hour's ride home. Afterwards I had a bath to get warm, but I didn't eat enough in my recovery time to compensate for my dehydration and lack of food.
I learned the hard way and ended up with a temperature, on antibiotics and off work for a week and a half. Following doctor's orders I was off training as well. A lesson learned in listening to your body. I tried to push through the on set of my sinus infection and it just got worse. It has been the most frustrating time, but some days I had such a bad migraine I was in so much pain and couldn't get out of bed. I'm rarely sick and have difficulty with my rest days as it is, so you can imagine I was crawling up the walls at times, and getting obsessed about all the weight I was putting on not training.
So come 3 September I'll be back into it. My body (and mind) needed the break, the sleep ins, the weekends with more time with Bede and my family. I'll be starting more structured training, more bike miles for sure and keeping the running and swimming ticking over. I'm going to see a nutritionist as I need a proper plan for IM, which will give me bags of energy. I eat a very healthy diet, but I’m sure it could be tweaked to provide me with more energy and get me off the coffee addiction! I love coffee, but I need to stick to two decent ones a day, not the four it’s been creeping up to lately. I rely on it for a pick up, but I need to tackle the tiredness first through a better balanced diet, and not rely so much on caffeine.
I need some short term goals, so the Auckland half marathon will be my next event, then Taupo Half IM. Indeed, we are in the process of selling our house and moving to Auckland as Bede has got a promotion and relocation up there. Which means I need to find a new job, and a new place to live. This, added to the stress of being sick has meant any training I have been doing hasn't been that effective and I've really been at an all time low in terms of training, motivation, happiness and enthusiasm for triathlon. We shall have a very busy few months ahead of us. I'm half contemplating working part time so I can really devote as much time as I'd love to my Ironman dream. I would love to pursue a career in triathlon. I’ve had enough of being stuck behind a desk in a windowless office 5 days a week.
One thing my coach said to me once was the happier you are, the happier, and consequently the better you train, and more importantly, race. I want to give IM my all and be happy doing it. The last two weeks have been acknowledging I've been sick, perhaps even on the verge of burnout and sorting my head out, to train happier. I have really felt the Winter Blues this month then, but Spring has sprung, the lambs are out, and when you see the blossoms appearing and leaves on the trees you've got to smile - it was even 19 degrees in Christchurch today!
My Alpe d’Huez kit arrived in the last week of August. I tried out the leg warmers, boot covers, cycle shorts and top on a 3.5hr ride. The leg warmers, although a bit long (I have very short legs!) are toasty warm and the shorts are very comfortable
I'm also contemplating purchasing a time trial bike. I've been looking at the Giant Trinity Elite- good bang for your buck, the trusty Cervelo and the Scott Contessa Plasma. It all depends on getting a good price for the house ;o) Then I can spend some money on a run around car and more money on a bike!
The move to Auckland is exciting, all those new places to train, new running trails, new bike shops ;o) I'll also be able to catch up with the other Alpe D’Huez sponsored athletes and the other Kiwi Age-Groupers I met in France.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into training, and getting my miles up. The thought of Ironman at the moment seems daunting, but then I look at what I have achieved in the last year and how far I’ve come I know I can do it. I love a challenge, having goals and doing my best. The next few months will be a test of time management, prioritizing and not getting obsessed with training, and letting it take over my life. Looking after myself and family is just, if not more important.
I’m having to remind myself that completing Ironman is my goal, despite being as competitive as I am, my goal is not to win, not even to place, just enjoy it and see how it goes. I put a lot of pressure on myself to always finish top ten, and beat certain girls. I must learn more self control, softly, softly, catchy monkey in Ironman and not to go off guns blazing in all my workouts and stuff myself.
My mantra for the next 6 months will be harder , better, faster, stronger…….
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